(continued from 06-07-10 Blog)

Faced with unprecedented failure and complacency by the Jews in his former capital city of Jerusalem, Nehemiah emerged as God’s leader for his moment (5th century B.C.).  Taking on something nobody had ever done before, Nehemiah chose to be the first to start believing again both in God and in the people.  So Nehemiah’s strategy for rebuilding unfolds from his finished tour of the disaster site (Neh. 2:13).  Nothing had been done for years.  The people were oppressed.  It was not God’s will to live in those conditions.  God wanted more for His people.  Yet, not a single person had stepped up to change things.  What is the best strategy when nobody else cares?  His first strategic decision was to call out the problem.

“You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach” (Neh. 1: 17).

In my study I’ve discovered 7 things Nehemiah did to define reality and motivate people despite the fact that nobody seemed to care about the conditions around them:

1.   He challenged them without blaming them. (see 06-07-10 Blog)

2.  He believed in them.  His challenge was based on a real confidence that they could get this done.  Discouragement is the thief of hope.  Over time, it can choke the life and energy out of almost anybody.  People can do amazing things if they think you and God still believe in them.  If there is a second chance, most people want it.  If somebody will come alongside, provide some direction, and refuse to give up, it can be done!  Belief in your son, daughter, mate, boss, coach, team, employees, or members is your least expensive and most valuable resource.  Start believing in God and that hopeless person again! 

Baseball announcer Chuck Thompson told the story from the 1950’s about then Yankees Manager Casey Stengel.  The team was in St. Petersburg, Florida for spring training.  After meeting with media guys until early one morning, Casey got on the elevator with them to return to his room.  Back then, hotels had elevator operators to host their guests.  When the elevator operator greeted Casey and 2 or 3 of the media guys who got on, Casey handed him a baseball and said, “I got to give this ball to a kid tomorrow.  Do me a favor, if any of the guys come in later, get them to sign the ball, and give it to me a breakfast.”  The next morning, Casey was the first at breakfast, and the elevator man handed him the ball covered with 4 or 5 signatures of Yankee players who had come in later that night.  Stengel took the ball, thanked the man, and promptly fined all the players who had signed the ball $50 for breaking curfew!

Don’t focus on what they have been, but what they can become!  The road to healing, recovery, and effectiveness begins with simple expressions of belief.  Whether you feel like it or not, be their biggest fan and most consistent encourager.  If your encouragement to them is contingent on their performance, then you’ll still be withholding it.  Dads, don’t wait on your kids to be good to love them and believe in them.  Love them and speak confidence into their heart first, and they’ll want to please you and God.  You have to sow belief before you reap it.  Step up to the plate like Nehemiah and speak confidently that you together can make it happen!

…to be continued